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The US Army Corps of Engineers annually dredges the mouth of the Oceanside Harbor for safe navigation of vessels. The annual dredge typically occurs in the spring. The amount of time it takes to start and complete the dredge is dependent upon many factors. Weather, equipment issues, and the grunion run are two examples that can create delays.
The sand dredged from the Harbor inlet is pumped onto Oceanside beaches. The amount of sand available each year to be placed on the beaches is dependent on how much excess sand fills in the harbor entrance each winter; it varies from year to year. How far south the dredged sand can be deposited is very dependent upon the erosion that occurred during the preceding months. Often, the beach on the north side of the Pier must be filled in substantially in order to support the pipe that must be laid on the beach.
You'll see heavy equipment at the beach during this operation, along with large pipe and bulldozers. Harbor Lot #12 is closed during this work for staging equipment. For safety reasons, a path for heavy equipment is marked on the beach with delineators and barricades. You may see the dredge vessel in the Harbor inlet, working to pump the sand through the pipe. They move the outfall pipe south as they go. You may see a fenced area around the San Luis Rey River mouth to protect the Western Snowy Plover nesting areas. The contractor will make ramps over the pipe for you to continue to access the beach. Please use caution at the beach during the dredge operation.
Due to weather, grunion runs, and other factors, changes in the schedule do occasionally arise and delay the project. The annual dredge generally takes 4-6 weeks.
The 2025 dredge by the Army Corps of Engineers is expected to begin mobilization on April 7, 2025, and the dredging is set to begin about April 15, 2025.
The operation is expected to wrap up by Memorial Day weekend, barring any equipment issues.Keep in mind that bad weather and high waves can also temporarily pause operations, which may cause this timeline to shift.
Safety measures planned during the dredging operation include a delineated pathway for moving heavy equipment, posted signs, flagmen, and a lead vehicle for tractors. No events in the area will be permitted during any portion of the dredge cycle.Environmental safety measures will also be implemented. Snowy Plover monitoring will be in place; a fence will be set up near the San Luis Rey River. The area will be monitored for grunion.
Water quality is consistently monitored during the dredge operations, per permit requirements from the CA Coastal Commission and Water Board. If any water quality issues were to arise, dredging operations would cease until the issue is addressed and testing shows the issue is abated.
The average amount of sand dredged from the inlet annually and placed onto Oceanside beaches is usually between 200,000 and 300,000 cubic yards.
The 2025 dredge operation wrapped up on May 10, 2025, and demobilization of all equipment is underway.
The City of Oceanside hired a Coastal Zone Administrator in 2022 to focus solely on sand replenishment efforts on City beaches. On May 1, 2023, a new effort was launched.Oceanside named 15 local, state, and national experts to serve as a Jury in the RE:BEACH Coastal Resilience Design Competition. The Competition has generated innovative ideas for the retention of sand along Oceanside's beloved coast, particularly south of the Oceanside Pier where the impacts from rapid coastal erosion are felt most acutely.
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